Kathryn James, MD of the NEC handed the chair of the Association of Event Venues (AEV) to Nigel Nathan, MD of Earls Court and Olympia London, after two years at the helm. AEV members in attendance had an update on one of the busiest and most successful years for it and its working groups.

The association has a strong commitment to hold its key events in member venues around the country, and this year's AGM took place at the Harrogate International Centre, where members heard reports from the chair and working groups clearly indicating the health and vibrancy of the association.

In his acceptance speech, Nathan expressed his thanks to Kathryn, his fellow board members and secretariat for handing over the reins of an association in tune with its membership, and in great financial shape. He added that he would seek to build on the association's mission to provide leadership in the global event venue market, promoting the world class standards created and demonstrated by AEV member venues.

Representatives of over a quarter of the total association membership, and over a third of UK members, attended the AGM. During the proceedings, the membership was brought up to date on the association's proposition, and its strong financial position and membership figures. The number of working groups, and their overall attendance, has doubled in size the last 2 years.

The formal process of the AGM also saw the election of new board member Emma Dagnes of Alexandra Palace and the formal appointing of the following co-opted members - Tom Gray of The Southwater Event Group, Dirk Pittaway of Manchester Central and, by rotation, the re-election of Kevin Murphy of ExCeL London, Simon Kent of Harrogate International Centre and Graz Kalenik of The Barbican.

Several working groups reported back to the AGM, inluding feedback on the eGuide by Lee Holloway, with the news that Alexandra Palace has signed up, Glow at Bluewater is scheduled to sign up from the next update, and 15 other venues have now adopted the eGuide.

The Security WG report was presented by its new chair Andy Coulson of FIL / FIVE and who has taken over from Gary Masters of the NEC.

Murray Dickson of the NEC reported that the Technology WG was now seeking wider participation after having been initially established as a closed discussion based group, citing an ever expanding list of topics to discuss and resolve, ranging from Wi-Fi security to ANPR systems. Murray also presented the Connectivity WG report to the AGM, with news that it has completed its review of industry-wide communications relating to Wi-Fi and will be working with all stakeholder groups to ensure the complexity of the issue is understood, highlighting the provision of content by the group for inclusion in the eGuide.

The Electrics WG represented by Chris Morrison had reviewed the impact of the new electrics testing regime and produced a legal background document and content for the eGuide electrics section.

Claire Kenton from Earls Court and Olympia London, who chairs the Communications WG took over as Chair in 2013 with James Puxty of the NEC taking on the role of vice chair, reported that they had completed an anonymous PR survey on the merits of Internal PR vs PR Agency and how to get the most out of your budget. This type of high level information sharing is very much appreciated by group members.

From the Catering WG Sean Hopkinson from the NEC reported the progress on its research into the emerging allergy and nutrition based food legislation, set eGuide milestones, developed content for the Confex panel session and arranged for the Food Standards Agency to present at the AEO Ops Forum and at the next working group.

Margery Youngs of the EIA reported back on the activity of the HR WG, the group has reviewed the AEV salary survey from 2012, and made further improvements to enhance the usability of the document. The Salary Survey 2013 has been distributed to main contacts and HR contacts at all member venues with a view to collating, compiling and distributing the results to those who have taken part in October 2013.

Finally, Emma Wellman of Earls Court and Olympia London advised that it had actioned the board’s request to “celebrate and promote” the industry’s sustainability credentials, by initially compiling a benchmarking survey with a view to using the data to form various reports and collateral in the future.

AEV director Chris Skeith said, “This year's AGM was a clear demonstration that the association is delivering what the members and Board have requested. We have been moving events and meetings around our member venues, doubling both the number of meetings and engagement, and again there was strong attendance at the AGM. We begin another year in a strong position in terms of finances, membership and our proposition as an association, which together with some new key focus areas identified in the strategy session are looking forward to moving the association onto another level in the year ahead.”

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